No bulletproof vehicles for Pope Francis

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Pope Francis has instructed the committee on transportation during the Papal Visit to that he prefers to be "vulnerable, open and accessible." According to his request, the popemobile will not be enclosed, not bullet-proofed, and will not be airconditioned.

Although it’s a security nightmare, Pope Francis says he wants to feel what the people feel (the heat, the rain) and he wants to hear them. Father David Concepcion, executive secretary of the committee on transportation, added "[Pope Francis] wants to get as close as possible to the people; he wants to interact with them. The popemobile's design would allow the Pope to hear the people's cheers and shoutouts during motorcades. This also shows that the Church listens."

"The Pope will be vulnerable during his visit. This also represents that vulnerability of the Church," Father Concepcion said.